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Boys tortured attack victims Boys tortured attack victims
(about 1 hour later)
Two brothers attacked two young boys by punching them, running broken glass across their throats and forcing them to eat nettles, a judge has heard. Two brothers threatened to kill two young boys in a brutal ordeal that saw them stamped on and attacked with broken glass, bricks and sharp sticks.
Sheffield Crown Court heard the pair, aged 10 and 12, led the youngsters to an isolated spot in Edlington.Sheffield Crown Court heard the pair, aged 10 and 12, led the youngsters to an isolated spot in Edlington.
Nicholas Campbell QC said the elder brother put one of the victims to the ground and tried to choke him so he could not talk or breathe. One victim was forced to strip naked and perform a sex act and a metal ring was used to strangle one of the boys, the sentencing hearing was told.
The pair have admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent.The pair have admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
They have also each pleaded guilty to robbing one of the boys of a mobile phone and the other of a sum of money. They have also each pleaded guilty to robbing one of the boys of a mobile phone and the other of cash and have admitted two counts of intentionally causing a child to engage in sexual activity.
Both have also admitted two counts of intentionally causing a child to engage in sexual activity. What they endured was humiliating and embarrassing Prosecutor Nicholas Campbell class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/england/south_yorkshire/8470299.stm">Ministers clash over attacks
Threats to kill They are being sentenced in a hearing that is expected to last three days.
Judge Mr Justice Keith was told the brothers took hold of their victims and dragged them through a gap in a fence, while threatening to kill them. Judge Mr Justice Keith was told the victims, then aged nine and 11, set out on Saturday April 4 with their BMX bikes and their dog.
Mr Campbell said: "The brothers continued the threats, this time saying 'We're gonna kill you and we're gonna kill the rest of your family if you don't shut up'." They were approached by the brothers after they went to a shop and the brothers, whom they had met before, asked to use their bikes.
What they endured was humiliating and embarrassing Prosecutor Nicholas Campbell They then asked their victims if they wanted to go and see a dead fox.
Prosecuting, Nicholas Campbell QC said the brothers took hold of their victims and dragged them through a gap in a fence, while threatening to kill them.
'Emotionally traumatic'
During the attack, the older brother focused his attention on the older victim, while the other brother targeted the younger boy.During the attack, the older brother focused his attention on the older victim, while the other brother targeted the younger boy.
The prosecutor said the victims, who are uncle and nephew, were subjected to an assault that was "both physically painful and emotionally traumatic - it was frightening".The prosecutor said the victims, who are uncle and nephew, were subjected to an assault that was "both physically painful and emotionally traumatic - it was frightening".
"In addition, what they endured was humiliating and embarrassing.""In addition, what they endured was humiliating and embarrassing."
He said the boys set out on Saturday April 4 with their BMX bikes and their dog. The court was told the brothers stamped on their victims and collected bricks and stones, which were thrown at their heads.
They were approached by the brothers after they went to a shop and the brothers, whom they had met before, asked to use their bikes. The two attackers were arrested by allotments in Edlington
Social Services Police who searched the scene later found a great deal of blood and blood-stained "weapons" including a wooden branch and a stone weighing 28lbs.
They then asked their victims if they wanted to go and see a dead fox. The court heard how a metal ring was used by the elder brother to attempt to strangle one of the boys.
Mr Campbell said: "Once concealed in the trees, the brothers told (the boys) that they were going to kill them." Mr Campbell said one of the boys was striped naked after both had socks stuck in their mouths and told them to perform a sex act.
The prosecutor said one boy was told to urinate into the other's mouth but the boy managed to avoid the urine entering his mouth and it went down his face.
Set on fire
When people were heard approaching the area, a plastic sheet was placed over the two boys, which was then set on fire causing burns to the boys.
Mr Campbell said when the younger boy refused to cross a stream he was told: "If you're not going to come over here, then you'd better kill yourself. Otherwise we're going to come over and do it."
The court heard the boy then got hold of a twig and shoved it into his mouth, making it look as though he was killing himself and then pretended to be dead.
Eventually the younger brother said they had to go to meet their father.
Mr Campbell said: "[The older brother] replied 'One minute. I need to kill them both because they might just grass on us'."
The older brother armed himself with two rocks and threw one at the older boy, who was blinded by blood and swelling to his eyes, and one at the younger.
They then left, telling the two boys to stay where they were or they would "come back and finish you off".
The brothers have also admitted causing another 11-year-old boy actual bodily harm a week before the young boys were attacked.The brothers have also admitted causing another 11-year-old boy actual bodily harm a week before the young boys were attacked.
They are being sentenced in a hearing which is expected to last three days. A BBC investigation has already revealed the two attackers were well-known troublemakers and that social services were heavily involved in their lives.
A BBC investigation has already revealed that the two attackers were well known to social services in the region who were heavily involved in their lives. A Safeguarding Children Board report, seen by BBC Newsnight, found the attack could have been prevented
A Safeguarding Children Board report, seen by BBC Newsnight, found the attack could have been prevented.